Laylam

We are currently on the Legend and have eaten in Restaurant 2 most nights. People are dressed well, but jackets/ties not required.

Re: tours ......

Chacabuco .... really nothing there. You can get a local bus to the nearby town of Aysen for $3 round trip. Still not very much to see..................

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There is LOTS to see and experience in Puerto Chacabuco if you take this tour, which we did in Feb 2013.

En Patagonia: http://www.enpatagoniatours.cl (run by ex-pat Americans)

Here is the description:

Puerto Chacabuco Day Excursion

This adventure is designed for the traveler who has limited time, but wants to experience both the natural beauty as well as the culture of Northern Patagonia.

We will pick you up at the port in Puerto Chacabuco. Then, we’ll take a drive through the Simpson River Valley, one of the most scenic drives in the region. As we follow the river through the valley, we will pass through lush farmland and dramatic rugged green mountains. Admire the countless waterfalls that tumble down from above, see rustic old homesteads and an explosion of wildflowers. You will learn about the history of the region, the current issues, how people live here and what they do for a living.

National Reserve

We’ll stop at the Rio Simpson National Reserve where we’ll take a closer look at the magnificent landscape. After a short visit to the small museum, we will take a stroll to the river. We’ll see if we can spot condors soaring up on the skyline and admire a world class fly fishing river.

Waterfalls (Cascadas)

We will visit two impressive waterfalls, Cascada Gemelas (twin falls) and Salta Leon. If it is raining, we will also be able admire countless small cascades bounding off the sheer cliffs of the Simpson River Canyon.

Patagonian lunch and entertainment at Pangal

Pangal is one of my favorite areas in the Puerto Chacabuco area. It is the perfect place to take a post card picture of Northern Patagonia. We will see rustic farms, wildflowers, rivers tumbling below red hanging bridges and green snow capped mountains… This is where we will see “Salta Leon” which is a truly impressive waterfall that is off the beaten track.

The highlight of Pangal will be our stop at a 'campo' or country house to experience the people and the culture of Northern Patagonia. Don Carlos and Señora Juani have a picturesque farm and they are thrilled to share their way of life and customs with you. Here, we will see how this family steers clear of the supermarket by raising their own fruit, vegetables and meat. They have a typical quincho or wooden barbeque house built to roast meat and have get-togethers. Here, you will have the chance to listen to traditional music and see cueca the Chilean national dance and a staple of any Chilean party or celebration. We will have a sit down lunch with your choice of asado al palo(lamb), beef, salmon or empanadas. You will also have the chance to enjoy a hand squeezed pisco sour (a Chilean specialty) and Chilean wine.

Description of the lunch options of which you may not be familiar:

Asado al palo

Asado al palo is a Patagon tradition. It is a lamb roasted over embers of an open fire. The lunch includes lamb, potatoes, and a variety of salads from the organic greenhouses next to the quincho. The lunch also includes a pisco sour (a classic Chilean cocktail) and then your choice of Chilean wine, juice or mineral water during the lunch.

Empanada lunch

Empanadas are pastry turnovers that are baked in a wood burning oven. Each guest will get to try 2, one filled with ground beef and sautéed onions and the other with ham and cheese. Cheese empanadas are also available for vegetarians. This option also includes a pisco sour, Chilean wine, juice, or mineral water.

Vegetarian meals are also available upon request. The vegetables are all organic and from the farm.

Our dancers are local youth that have danced all their lives, but rarely get to dance for outside visitors. They are very proud to show you the traditional dances of the region and it really is an amazing experience to see them dance. So, bring your cameras!

If time allows, we will also take a spin through Puerto Aysen, the town about 20 minutes away from Puerto Chacabuco. Our biggest priority is to get you back to the port when you need to be. Thus, we may need to adjust things day of depending on time variables. We will get you back with plenty of time and drop you off right at the tender lines.

This was an unforgettable day and as about 20 of us took the trip, was VERY reasonably priced.

We had such a nice group for our Legend cruise March '11. And getting to know one another beforehand certainly added to the anticipation of the cruise...... And we only have two weeks now until we are on board the Legend again and I can't wait to meet the people who have responded to the roll call.

The Roll Calls have always worked for me. We are currently on the Legend & have organised at least 3 private tours with fellow passengers via the Roll Call. See you in Dubai hoosier74!

...... I do find the body lotion very 'gloopy' and hard to get out of the bottle, not so keen on that.

I agree entirely! We are currently aboard the Legend and there are 2 twisted/mangled bottles in the bathroom from my attempts to extricate the contents. (BTW, enjoying the trip - we have just left Penang).

Hi Laylam and Hoya. Currently en route to pick you up in Singapore. Just had a marvellous caviar in the surf and beach BBQ today at Ko Kood. Food overall excellent - we have chef Franck Sollazo tending us thru to Dubai - a real star. You'll have to spend those flights brushing up on trivia. There's been some tough questioning so far, although right now we are about 600 points in lead although two more sessions to go. See you in the Sky Bar before lifeboat drill! Have safe flights.

Thanks Stamfordian, we can't wait!!

For those sailing on the Legend on March 17 from Singapore the itinerary has changed as follows:.........

Belawan has been dropped and Kuala Lumpur added.

Thanks Stephen, I can't say I am too disappointed, as we didn't have anything planned for Belawan. I have now scheduled some serious shopping at the mega mall 'AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre' about 30 minutes from the dock.

I hope you are having a great cruise, we look forward to joining you SOON (only 8 more sleeps).

:D two of the five are impatient, both are female ;). The men and the youngster simply don't care. I'm a creature of habit and like to know in advance where I'm going to be living .

Time for some jolly japes and ginger beer!

Lashings of ginger beer!! Have a great cruise.

Have been using sea days since Adelaide to catchup on my recent photos - so for a change of pace from food issues here is a link if anyone is interested.

Great photos - thank you!

OK, so this is my only gripe - and it isn't a big deal. (I have never gone hungry!!)

1. The fruit in the suite be ripe enough to eat

2. The fruit not be taken just as it is ripening

3. The finally ripened fruit not be replaced with fruit not ripe enough to eat

I would highly recommend you spend an hour or two in the Chinese Heritage Museum in Pagoda Street.

Small and well laid out it tells how Singapore came to be a majority Chinese city, using first person accounts and videos very effectively. You will not believe the size of the 'cubicles' which housed entire families, and, once seen, the living conditions the immigrants endured will stay with you forever.

Thanks, Wripro. Last night Heather Clancy gave a very well-received show. Lots of talent there. Today we are in Burnie, Tasmania. Locals are incredibly charming and welcoming. Maybe we are the first cruise ship they have seen in a long time? Cute town, but not much here other than a little museum and a paper mill. Passengers are scratching their heads as to why Seabourn chose this port.

Too late now, but I would highly recommend future cruisers, who find themselves in Burnie, and have enough time, take a tour to Cradle Mountain NP (about 1.5hrs drive away).

Anything can be overcome if you put your mind to it,

I never have a problem taking everything that a gentleman will require on his travels.

 

Another issue is that when people sail on a first class luxury line they do not always look for a first class way to get to the ship.

 

I have never understood why people sail luxury but fly economy,ok if you are sailing with carnival or costa or the like but surely not Seabourn or Silversea.

Maybe they can't afford to do both. Are you equating being a gentleman with wealth? IMHO a true gentlemen would prefer to be judged on reputation rather than overt displays of wealth.

.... After the tour we were taken to a large room and offered more warm champagne and given seats. There was no a/c in the building and this room was almost like a greenhouse. After a short while and procession we were treated to dancers. This went on for a bit and we were ushered outside to see more dancers pull up on a carriage........

If I didn't thank you for posting your photos at the time, I meant to. I enjoyed your cruise vicariously. Now, armed with the above info, I just wish you had included a 'selfie' as you witnessed more dancers arriving.:eek:

Is this a new ruling? A couple of years ago we booked and paid for our excursions then once on board we had our credit card refunded and the cost taken from our on board credit.

We did too margbem, on the Sojourn, February 2013.

Silver Seabourn Club members already get a bag of laundry/week for free if that is the benefit they choose. That is 20 days/points with Seabourn to get silver level. If both you and your spouse/partner/friend (or whoever is sharing your suite) are silver members then you effectively get 2 bags/week. We find that is more than adequate.

Is this correct (she asks hopefully)? I read it as 1 bag per cruise for Silver Club members and 1 bag per week for Gold & Platinum members. If it is just 1 bag per cruise, how does that (& internet packages) work with back to back cruises?

Thanks for the packing tips Mrs Waldo

I honestly don't know the answer to the corporate control question, but let me tell you, that is a very, very active topic of conversation on the Sojourn right now. ......... Led me to believe that he had been handed recipes from someone above and was merely carrying them out, sort of like me cooking from a cookbook.

On a galley tour on the Sojourn last year we were told the the Chefs do have to follow recipe cards, so there is consistency across all ships.

Here is the recipe for the twice baked goat cheese souffle.

http://blog.seabourn.com/recipe-twice-baked-goat-cheese-souffle

We left the ship three weeks ago after another fantastic cruise and can only give it

10 plus 10 for everything. The crew could not have been better and the food on many

ocasions was gourmet standard.

We are returning for Easter and I am already counting the weeks. No hesitation in

recommending it.

SNAP!! See you onboard Miss Jet Set somewhere around the Suez Canal.

A tight fitting sleeveless T-shirt or vest top. Cut in at the shoulders to excentuate the upper arm and shoulder muscles. Shows off a full tattoo sleeve very well but lacks the ability to store a packet of cigarettes under the sleeve as per a standard tight fitting T.

 

Henry :)

Thank you, I now get the picture............:eek:

Please excuse my ignorance, but, what are 'wife beaters'?

Tote bags are supposedly provided for use during the cruise. I don't even bring them home anymore although the ones I do have at home are very useful for shopping at farmers' markets.

They make a great 'Peg Bag'.

We are considering the New Zealand/Australia cruise next January. We have noticed the very high temperatures in Australia in recent days. Is this normal at this time of year?

 

What can we expect the sea conditions to be at this time?

In Melbourne we have just experienced four days straight with temperatures between 41 - 45C.

Personally, I think our summer is the wrong time to cruise our tropical north/ Great Barrier Reef. It is cyclone season.

.....Was wondering about taking a HOHO bus in both Melbourne and Sydney?or the city tram tour.May only have 1 full day pre cruise,due to vacation days........

Another suggestion would be the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/

You need to book well in advance though.

I'm asking on behalf of my niece.

Which brand of sparkling water is available in the public areas? I can't remember. I'm hoping that one of you can!

I'm also hoping that the answer is San Pellegrino, otherwise she'll be hauling goodness knows how many litres of her own onboard.

It has made me smile that 47 people have viewed this and have been unable to answer - including me.

Thanks again Henry....Great! Norah came over loud and clear here in Oz.

Positively poetic! Keep 'em coming.

Hear, hear!